Berrien RESA receives $25,000 PAYA Innovation Grant

Berrien RESA was recently awarded a Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA) grant from New America’s Center on Education & Labor, a think tank that explores the changing relationship between education, social mobility, and economic security. The grant, the first of its kind, is designed to expand youth apprenticeships to build a more inclusive economy by connecting students' learning needs with industry's talent needs. For Berrien RESA, the grant will help fund a program to test whether removing barriers through transportation aid, providing starter kits and emergency funds, and coaching can improve student attendance, retention, completion, and provide a sense of belonging.

“We are very excited to receive the PAYA Innovation Grant,” said Mark Frey, Berrien RESA Supervisor for Apprenticeships. “This opportunity will allow us to find and address barriers that may arise as we move forward with this first year of registered apprenticeships at Berrien RESA. We hope to use this opportunity to be an example for school districts across the country as they begin their journey in expanding registered apprenticeships.” 

Currently, Berrien RESA offers three Registered Youth Apprenticeships, each customized based on employer opportunities and student interests. While in high school, students can become an apprentice after developing skills in Career & Technical Education classes. After graduation, students may have the option to continue their registered apprenticeship with the employer, depending on availability and their success in the program. 

Registered Youth Apprenticeships allow students to gain customized, hands-on skills taught by industry experts in business in their own backyards. For employers, this establishes a direct talent supply chain from high school to the workplace. 

“The connections we are making between industry and high school students have been incredible,” said Frey. “Think about all of the missed talent leaving our high school every year. With this program in place, students can not only explore what really interests them, but they can do so while getting paid and getting great advice.”

Each $25,000 short-term grant helps programs test new ideas that improve program persistence and completion among students at the highest risk of disconnection. Unlike traditional implementation grants, these awards provide flexible funding that enables partnerships to quickly pilot creative, locally driven solutions that address the unique needs of students and the community. 

“The future of 911 isn't found by hiring more people—it's built by developing them,” said Sarah Blurton from the Berrien County Central Dispatch unit. “A high school apprenticeship prepares the next generation of telecommunicators through purpose, mentorship, and real-world experience."

Berrien RESA anticipates that the PAYA grant funds will help 10-12 students launch their careers through registered apprenticeship by the end of the school year. In turn, the business community can also expect 10-12 future employees to join the workforce once the students’ apprenticeship experiences are complete. 

To learn more about Berrien RESA’s Youth Apprenticeship opportunities, please contact Mark Frey at mark.frey@berrienresa.org.